Fords aluminium body

jyoutz · Jan 25, 2022

not2old said:
The hood, front fenders and tailgate on my 1993 Volvo 960 are all aluminum. There is a slight amount of corrosion (bubbling paint) on the tailgate but not anywhere else that I've noticed. These cars have been described by an enthusiast's magazine as "remarkably immune to rust" I'm a bit skeptical of using it on the actual body due to it's difficulty of being repaired if damaged.

Most body damage to aluminum panels can’t be repaired; the panels must be replaced.

Rustyiron · Jan 25, 2022

jyoutz said:
Most body damage to aluminum panels can’t be repaired; the panels must be replaced.

I'm not certain, but I believe the day's of hammers and dolly's, (actual repairs) left us over 20 years ago when it was nearly 100% steel. Other than the "paintless" ding popper, that are almost magical, the parts/panels are cheaper than the disappearing craftsman with the skills to make a repair.

deserteagle71 · Jan 25, 2022

No rust or corrosion visible anywhere on my 2016 F150.

But then I live in Nevada where nothing rusts...check out this fine machine I found that's been laying out in the desert for the past 80 years:

When's the last time you fueled through your taillight??

oliver1555 · Jan 25, 2022

When I was a kid, we had a 1956 Chevrolet station wagon. The left light flipped down and that’s where you put the gas in the tank.

oosik · Jan 25, 2022

desert eagle - that old body even has a moon roof.

ROUSTABOUT · Jan 25, 2022

Rustyiron said:
Any feedback on the corrosion results? I haven't kept up with the calendar, but didn't they start with the F150 enough years ago to have an opinion?
I'm skeptical but what's the owners responses.

I have a 99 with aluminum. No corrosion.

Rustyiron · Jan 25, 2022

This all is encouraging.
With the insane (vehicle) prices, I'd be bothered to no end driving in the winter. The frame portion is pretty simple to protect with fluid film or similar. It's also very accessible and visible to inspect, where the bodywork.... by the time you see it, it's too late.
I'm beyond the new truck every 4 years for depreciation purposes (only) and the dollars involved, I'd rather buy more real estate or rentals.

yanmars · Jan 25, 2022

sd455dan mentioned some Pontiacs in the 60s had aluminum bumpers. Tried to pull a guy out of the snow and attached with a hook like one did on steel bumpers. Pulled right through it. It was a Pontiac of the 60s, maybe 65. Perhaps AL.

Richard001 · Jan 25, 2022

Yes, I don't know what the engineers were thinking. I had a 1979 Olds that I bought brand new. I even went thru the extra expense of having the addition of a rust-proofing coating applied to the bottom of the car and inside of the doors. The car had aluminum bumpers bolted to steel brackets with steel bolts. I live in MN, so we get a lot of salt on the roads. In about 5 years, I could see that the bumper was just about ready to fall off. The aluminum corroded around the bolts that held it on to the car. I put large washers on the bolts but that only accelerated the corrosion process. The entire car, frame and all started to just disappear. Finally sold it for scap after the engine timing chain jump a few teeth.